An X-men review and my opinions on comics...

MARVEL MASTERWORKS:
The X-Men Volume One

This book reprints issues 1-10 of the original X-Men series. All were written by Stan lee and drawn by Jack Kirby.

When I first started this review it was going to be a rant on how much more story Lee and Kirby got into these first 10 issues compared to what today's writer's would have in the standard must-fit-a-trade format, but when I was about halfway through I realized that it should be left for another column. Because I was overlooking what these two men did in these issues.

Even though the writing is a bit hokey and the slang is dated, the enjoyment that Lee had in creating these characters comes through in the friendly banter and use of nicknames. This in turn makes the books fun to read and enjoyable still today. Kirby's art, though a bit archaic, technically is still better than most of today's stuff. Although I'm not a big fan of Kirby's stuff I was quite pleased with the art in the book, especially in the later issues. The only thing that could have made this book better would be the insertion of the original ads.

Stories-10

Art -7

Overall-8.5

They say that as something evolves that it gets better. Some of the time this is true in computer and video games, but it isn’t always true in comics.

The reason I say this is because in my opinion comics are entering the second stage of the "Age of Greed and Gimmicks" (the first stage was back in the '90's with all the fancy covers, for those you who might have forgotten.) With all the incentive cover variants, director's cut issues, reprints of sold out issues with different cover art, and even the-must-fit-a-trade story arcs. Here are my reasons for naming each.

Incentive cover variants: These are not being printed for any other reason then to cater to the speculator/investor. And if my comic history serves me correct, this is like cutting your wrists.

Reprints of sold out issues with different cover art: This is just another way to get a completist to spend more money, if first print runs were increased instead of undercut this would not happen as much as it does.

Director's Cut issues: These are supposed to be the DVD's of comics. I bought the Director's cut issue of The New Avengers out of curiosity and was very disappointed in the "added features". They could have done the same thing in an annual and given me a new story to boot.

Must-Fit-A-Trade story arc: Since trades are intended to lure in the marginal comic reader I can almost see the need for this, but on the other hand why should I as dedicated reader suffer through long drawn out story lines and numerous unneeded mini series.